Dear John,

As long as I’ve been an elected official, I have represented Monterey Park. From my earliest post on the Garvey School Board, through my time on the City Council, in the State Assembly, and now in the House of Representatives, Monterey Park has remained my home. And one year ago, when a gunman entered the Star Dance Studio, his senseless acts of gun violence took 11 lives from us. Our community was forever changed. 

Today, we remember those lost. Mothers, fathers, grandparents, all who loved to dance. Each member of our community who was so callously taken from us left behind family, friends, and countless loved ones who have been tirelessly working to keep their memories alive. We remember,

Valentino Marcos Alvero

Yu Lun Kao

My Nhan

Diana Man Ling Tom

Chia Ling Yau

Xiujuan Yu

Hongying Jian

Lilian Li

Ming Wei Ma

Muoi Dai Ung

Wen Tau Yu

We also honor the survivors, whose trauma can still be as fresh as the day they lost their friends, their community, and their sense of safety. And we honor the courage of Brandon Tsay, who stopped the shooter and protected the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio from so much more devastation.

As the impact of this loss of life and devastation has evolved over the past year, we all have worked to support our community through this collective grief at every step along the way. In the face of these events, our community has begun to look toward the future and work to rebuild together. From making resources available and accessible for the survivors to fighting for common-sense gun reforms, the legacy of those lost will be honored in these actions. 

I know we will always remember this day, these loved ones, and the fight ahead to stand against violence to make our community safer for everyone. 

Judy